The Christian Reformed Church Classis Alberta North Table of ...

The Christian Reformed Church
Classis Alberta North
Supplemental Agenda
for 148 th Session, March 9-10, 2011
Covenant Christian Reformed Church of Edmonton, Alberta
Table of Contents
Annual Meeting of the Association of Classis Alberta North .................................................... 2
Classis Home Missions Committee ............................................................................................ 3
Neighbourhood Life Proposal - Update ...................................................................................... 3
Classis Interim Committee .......................................................................................................... 5
Classis Safe Church Team (“CSCT”) ......................................................................................... 6
Overture to Classis Alberta North from West End Christian Reformed Church ........................ 7
DELEGATES PLEASE NOTE:
The Time Schedule which accompanies this supplemental Agenda is REVISED from the
one sent out with the main Agenda and indicates an earlier than usual start time.
Financial Statements for 2010 are attached separately as pdf files.
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 1

Annual Meeting of the Association of Classis Alberta North
Annual Meeting March 10, 2011
"The Association of Classis Alberta North of the Christian Reformed Church in North America"
(the Society)
Covenant Christian Reformed Church, Edmonton, Alberta
AGENDA
1. Opening remarks – Chair Rev. Martin Mobach.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting held March 11, 2010.
3. Motion to approve the Financial Statements of The Association Classis Alberta North of the
Christian Reformed Church in North America for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010,
presented by Treasurer Ellen Vlieg-Paquette.
4. Motion to accept the signed Auditor's Report from Halpert Monsma, Chartered Accountant,
which accompanied the Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010,
presented by Treasurer Ellen Vlieg-Paquette.
5. Motion to appoint Halpert Monsma, Chartered Accountants as Auditors for the fiscal year 2011,
presented by Treasurer Ellen Vlieg-Paquette.
6. Motion to approve the appointment of Carolyn Dieleman-Booth as Director of the Society,
presented by Chair Rev. Martin Mobach.
7. Motion to approve the re-appointment of Chair Rev. Martin Mobach, Clerk Rick Struik, and
Treasurer Ellen Vlieg-Paquette for a second 3-year term, presented by Chair Rev. Martin
Mobach.
8. Question period.
9. Closing remarks.
10. Adjournment.
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 2

Classis Home Missions Committee
The committee met on Nov. 5 th and Jan. 13 th . The members of CHMC are Rick Abma, Bruce Gritter,
Henry Steenbergen, Peter Tuininga and Anne VanderHoek with one lay-person position still to be filled
to replace Bernie Kolkman who has finished his term.
CHMC continues to hear updates from Victor Ko regarding the blessings and challenges of mosaicHouse
and supports Victor accordingly. Classis will hear some of these stories of harvest blessings and
challenges. CHMC has also been working with Karen Wilk to work out more of the details of what the
“Neighbourhood Life” ministry (see “Neighbourhood Life Proposal Update”) will look like, what role
Karen will play in this ministry and where the finances towards this ministry will be allocated. Martin
Contant (Regional Leader for Home Missions in Western Canada) has been meeting with CHMC to help
us in these discussions.
CHMC wants to make it known to the churches that CHMC has been authorized by Classis Alberta North
to provide financial support for special outreach ministry projects proposed and initiated by
congregations within classis. There is a protocol for churches to make applications to CHMC for this
funding. Take note that these grants are available for up to $3000 or one-half of the projected costs of
the project, whichever is least. Please contact Anne Vanderhoek, CHMC secretary for further
information. annevh@clearwave.ca.
Recommendations:
1. That Victor Ko speak to classis to provide an update on the blessings and challenges of the
mosaicHouse church plant.
2. That Karen Wilk speak to classis to provide an update on what has been happening with the
“Neighbourhood Life” ministry.
3. That classis accepts the “Neighbourhood Life Proposal Update” as a follow-up to the decision
made at the October 2010 classis meeting.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of CHMC,
Henry Steenbergen (chair of CHMC)
Neighbourhood Life Proposal - Update
Classis Alberta North Home Missions Committee Winter 2011
Synod and Classis Alberta North (CAN) have delegated the task of helping churches reproduce by
starting new congregations, to the Classical Home Missions Committee (CHMC). Over the last 10 years,
Classis Alberta North (CAN) has assisted in getting The River and mosaicHouse started as church plants.
Both plants represent different models, but the goal is the same; to develop relationships with those
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 3

outside of the Kingdom of God and disciple them to become followers of Jesus. The Neighborhood Life
proposal is another iteration of trying to be faithful to the Great Commission.
We have discovered over the years that many members of established churches support the work of
church planting, but their concept of church is defined by their own experience of church: a gathering of
people on Sundays, meeting in their own facilities, offering a full complement of services and ministries
geared mostly to its members, as well as offering some programs directed toward the broader
community. Reproducing such churches, especially at a time when many of our congregations are
actually decreasing in size has proved to be a very difficult task. It is not the primary way God seems to
be working these days in establishing new churches. Today we are learning that to effectively reach our
communities we need to think more like missionaries. This involves living among, getting to know
people and sharing life with them. That is the basis of the Neighborhood Life Proposal. This kind of
approach has been underway for several years in the west end of Edmonton, with more and more
people being loved into the Kingdom of God. CHMC in exploring this approach, feels that it has strong
application to many in our established congregations, who feel they don’t know how to connect with
the unchurched, but want to be obedient to Jesus command to make disciples.
Purpose : To help inspire, equip and nurture Christians to develop neighbourhood missional
communities that demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom of God (the Presence of Jesus) where they
live, by loving their neighbours and making their neighbourhoods better places to live.
Neighbourhood Life Catalyzer’s Role (Karen Wilk)
To facilitate and lead their own Neighbourhood Kingdom Community- modelling it!
To identify, equip, encourage, send and walk alongside other neighbourhood leaders found
throughout the churches of Classis Alberta North.
To provide and train these leaders in CAN churches- e.g. coaching, clustering, etc. leaders
including pastors in being active missional leaders and facilitating such movements in and
through their congregations. This is in conjunction with Home Mission’s Western Canada’s
Missional Leadership Team (HM-WC-MLT) and partner organizations like Forge Canada, which is
an ecumenical evangelical organization giving leadership to renewing communities through
neighbourhood transformation.
Other oversight and support for neighbourhood Kingdom Communities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do
something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest. ~ Archbishop Óscar Romero
Fall 2010 Classis Actions:
35.3 Motion: That Classis adopt the Neighbourhood Life Proposal as a new initiative for participating in
God’s mission in our region. Carried.
35.4. Motion: The funding request of $25,000 for 2011 only will be covered by $10,000 within the 2011
budget and the other $15,000 coming from reserve funds in the CHMC account. Carried.
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 4

Classis Interim Committee
Excerpts from CIC meeting of Feb. 16, 2011; motions in bold require Classis approval.
1. The Stated Clerk received concurrence from the Synodical Deputies, Rev. Dick Kwantes, Rev.
Jelmer Groenewold and Rev. Cameron Fraser that the job description of the CAN Youth
Consultant as provided meshes with Ron DeVries’ request to be examined as Ministry Associate.
They did have a few comments regarding the job description: not in proper format, no
assurance of proper supervision or evidence of accountability as Ron’s work is outside his calling
church.
2. The Oversight Committee will make a recommendation to CAN re Andrew Geleynse’s status as
an ordained minister. There is a tabled recommendation from the October 2011 Classis meeting
which is as follows: That CAN consider whether to extend or lapse the ministerial credentials
of Andy Geleynse at the spring 2011 meeting.
3. The CIC met with representatives of the Home Mission Committee of CAN to discuss the
Neighbourhood Life Proposal and future budget implications. This will again be discussed at the
October 2011 Classis meeting when the 2012 Proposed Budget is presented.
4. The clerk has been instructed to send a letter to all Classis delegates to have them bring a copy
of their churches insurance policy to the March 2011 Classis meeting.
5. The CIC received a letter from the Council of Sonrise CRC in Ponoka thanking Classis for the
classical appointments received during their time of pastoral vacancy.
6. The CIC approved a motion to receive the ministerial credentials of Rev. William Delleman and
forwarded them to Sonrise CRC, Ponoka. This had been done at the January 5, 2011 CIC
meeting in anticipation of receiving them before William’s installation service on January 16,
2011.
7. Overture from West End CRC was received re lack of women serving as pastors in CRC; Advisory
Committee are delegates from Maranatha CRC, Edmonton (convening church) and Fellowship
CRC, Edmonton.
8. Overture from Edson-Peers was received re Faith Formation Committee’s proposed changes to
the Church Order; Advisory Committee are delegates from Ebenezer CRC. Leduc (convening
church) and First CRC, Rocky Mountain House.
9. Another overture from Edson-Peers was received re the Proposed Combined RCA/CRC
Translation of the Three Reformed Standards; Advisory Committee are delegates from
Neerlandia CRC, Neerlandia (convening church) and St. Albert CRC, St. Albert.
10. The following motion from the Pastoral Church Relations Committee was tabled: That the
position of Pastor Church Relations Consultant continues on a half-time basis and become a
permanent position subject to periodic review. The CIC suggested to the PCRC that it was in
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 5

favour of bringing the motion forward for CAN approval at the October 2011 Classis meeting
once the committee had completed an evaluation report which it was instructed to do when the
position was approved 2 years ago.
11. The CIC approved a motion to appoint Kara Vyn as a student representative to the Campus
Ministry Committee.
12. Motion: CIC recommends to Classis to approve the audited 2010 Financial Statements.
13. The Treasurer prepared a 5 Year Projection of Ministry Share report that will be discussed at a
future CAN meeting when the 2012 Proposed Budget is presented.
Motion: That Classis approve the work of the CIC from October 2010 to February 2011.
Classis Interim Committee members: Herman Berkenbosch, Rev. Gary Bomhof, Rev. Fred Bultman, Rev.
Martin Mobach (chair); Rick Struik (Stated Clerk), Arlene VandeKamp (Assistant to Stated Clerk), Bill
Wildeboer.
Classis Safe Church Team (“CSCT”)
Activities & Recommendations (based on the 3 goals of the CSCC mandate):
GOAL I: Education: Define abuse and create awareness of its damaging effects
a. A cooperative effort with Classis BC North and Classis BC South will hopefully lead to a “shared
database” of information. A spring training session for Classis Alberta North congregations,
involving John Stellingwerff (Abuse Prevention & Response Coordinator for the 2 Classes of BC) is
currently being organized for members of the various CAN Safe Church Teams and/or Councils.
Despite Beth Swagman’s resignation from CRCNA (as of March 31, 2011), she has indicated that she
will be willing to attend a training session in Edmonton this spring.
GOAL II: Facilitation: Foster safety and well-being in the church communities
a. Several congregations have sought and received assistance in revising or creating Safe Church
policies. Several requests for a training session (regarding Safe Church policies) have been received
and it may be that our next training session is somewhat “inter-denominational”.
b. No Advisory Panels were implemented. However, at least one congregations is dealing with the
stress of determining the proper protocol and ministry in welcoming a past-convicted offender into
their midst.
GOAL III: Restoration: Aid in the creation of pathways to healing
a. A member of the CSCT is serving on (and being rewarded by) the Classis AB North Restorative Justice
committee and thus, the CSCT will assist in clarification of Restorative Justice procedures and
philosophy; particularly as it relates to safe church incidents and/or policy.
b. We still have further work to do in ensuring that CAN has sufficient Advocates and that our
congregations are aware of the role of an Advocate.
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 6

Challenges:
1. We are considering how to implement an ongoing review/survey of existing Safe Church Policies and
the implementation of such policies.
2. There remains is concern that strict adherence to existing Safe Church Policies is inconsistent.
Consistency may suffer as committees and our councils go through the annual and inevitable
personnel turnover. Investigation continues as to the best method of maintaining education.
3. As was stated in the Fall 2010 report, “In order to ensure that Safe Church Education continues and
to ensure that, should an incident arise, we are properly prepared, CLASSIS ALBERTA NORTH SAFE
CHURCH TEAM REQUIRES a minimum of THREE NEW MEMBERS!! 2 individuals have indicated an
“interest” but have not yet confirmed (or been approved by CIC).
Current Members: Susan Schouten, Ria Cook and Ron Knol (chair)
Overture to Classis Alberta North from West End Christian Reformed Church
This overture asks Synod 2011 for a synodical study committee to explore the practical implications and
outcomes of the decision of Synod 1995 allowing women to be ordained as pastors and to investigate if
churches in favour of women’s ordination are providing sufficient opportunities for women to serve as
pastors.
I. Background
The Christian Reformed Church has allowed women to serve as pastors since 1995. Since
that time many churches who had advocated for the full use of women’s gifts have
encouraged their young women to consider a call to ministry.
However, no denominational agency is monitoring how many women who have prepared
for ministry are receiving initial or subsequent calls to serve as parish pastors. Anecdotal
evidence, however, strongly indicates that there are less opportunities for women to serve
as sole or senior pastor or to receive a call from one church to another. Churches that have
advocated for the full use of women’s gifts do not seem to be providing opportunities for
women to serve as pastors in their own congregation.
This appears to have led to some women being encouraged and equipped for ministry and
then having to struggle to find a place to serve, while trying to be their own advocates at the
same time. And there is an ongoing lack of awareness regarding the disparity between
women being prepared for ministry and churches open to women’s ordination actually
calling women as pastors.
II.
Overture
That Classis Alberta North overture synod 2011 to instruct the Board of Trustees to appoint
a synodical study committee to explore the practical implications and outcomes of the
decision of Synod 1995 allowing women to be ordained as pastors, and to investigate if
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 7

churches in favour of women’s ordination are providing sufficient opportunities for women
to serve as pastors. This study committee will report its findings to Synod 2014 providing
statistical information on whether such disparity indeed exists, and, if so, making
recommendations to improve the situation.
Grounds:
1. Since Synod 1995 allowed for women to be ordained as pastors, sufficient consideration by
churches and the denomination has not been given to the practical consequences for
women entering the ministry.
2. There are currently no specific data collected and maintained regarding women who have
entered ordained ministry.
3. Women appear to wait longer and receive less calls than their male counterparts.
4. There are currently no formal structures of support specifically for women candidates and
clergy women within the CRCNA.
Classis Alberta North Supplemental Agenda – October 2010 Page 8